Dr. Kirkham has served as a consultant and expert witness in more than 1,000 police litigation cases nationwide, testifying in both federal and state courts for plaintiffs and defendants in civil actions, as well as in criminal matters for prosecution and defense. He was the expert witness in Tuttle v. Oklahoma City, a case later heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he received a commendation from FBI Director Clarence M. Kelley for his widely reprinted article, A Professor’s Street Lessons. William F. Buckley, Jr. described Dr. Kirkham as “an honor to his profession.”

His expertise in police standards and procedures includes:

• Failure to properly train and supervise police officers on procedures to follow when interacting with emotionally disturbed persons and handicapped individuals. 

• Death and injury resulting from negligent or intentional use of firearms.

• Allegations of excessive force.

• Fatalities related to suicide in custody, sudden in-custody death, positional asphyxia, excited delirium, and neck restraint holds.

• Use of force with police equipment (batons, chemical agents, Tasers, handcuffs, canines, hogtying).

• Police recognition of and response to emotionally disturbed persons, including ADA implications.

• Crisis intervention involving domestic disputes, threats, drugs, or alcohol.

• Safe transportation and monitoring of arrestees.

• Frisks, searches, and seizures of persons and property.

• Alleged failures to protect (e.g., restraining orders, trespass warnings).

• Felony and high-risk vehicle stops, cover-and-contact procedures.

• Barricaded suspect tactics (SWAT, ERT, hostage negotiation).

• Vehicle pursuits and roadblocks.

• First-responder duties at medical emergencies (CPR, medical assistance).

• Probable cause and investigative detentions.

• Civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. §1983 and custom/practice issues.

• Internal affairs and criminal investigations of alleged police misconduct.

• Negligent selection, retention, training, supervision, and discipline of personnel.

• Sexual harassment within police agencies.

• Policies, SOPs, and rules/regulations of police departments.

• Allegations of biased or partisan police intervention in civil matters.

• Standards of neutrality and objectivity in investigations, including disclosure of exculpatory evidence.

• Protection of motorists and pedestrians from foreseeable hazards.

• DUI checkpoint operations.

• Planning and execution of high-risk arrests, warrants, and raids.

• Coercive interrogations.

• 911 and dispatch operations.